ESPN: Seattle Seahawks will release Sidney Rice

In a move that’s been widely expected, the Seattle Seahawks will release receiver Sidney Rice, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Friday. Cutting Rice will save the Hawks $7.3 million next season, according to OverTheCap.com.

Seahawks are releasing WR Sidney Rice, per league source. Rice signed a five-year, $41 million contract in July 2011.

Rice was one of the first big-name free agents to sign with the Seahawks after head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider set up shop in Seattle in 2010. But he had a hard time living up to the blockbuster five-year, $41 million deal that signed him away from Minnesota.

Rice struggled to stay healthy, missing 15 regular-season games in his three years with the Hawks. His best season came in 2012 when he started all 16 games, catching 50 passes for 748 yards and 7 touchdowns.

A tall deep threat and red zone target at 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, Rice fit the mold of a prototypical No. 1 receiver. With none of the remaining receivers on the roster bigger than 6-foot-2, the Seahawks brought in Chris Matthews, a 6-foot-5 former CFL standout, but will likely be in the market for another big wideout via the draft or free agency.

A former second-round pick of the Vikings in 2007, Rice put together a Pro-Bowl season in 2009 with 83 receptions, 1,312 yards and 8 touchdowns.